School Counsellor

We are looking for a qualified counsellor to provide a counselling service within Harris Garrard Academy, responding to the social, emotional or educational concerns of our students.

The purpose of your role will be:

• To create a safe consistent, non-judgemental environment in order to help a child understand the emotional and/or behavioural difficulties which are affecting life and work in the school
• To enable children to reflect upon and express thoughts and feelings using art materials as a means of expression and a vehicle for change
• To work within the Inclusion team and with external practitioners to deliver seamless, high quality interventions to students with SEND
• To work as an effective member of SEND team and provide support to the Wider Academy teams where necessary

About Us

Harris Garrard Academy is a new school with drive and ambition. Located in the wider South Thamesmead area, we cater to a vastly vibrant 3-19 aged student community. Accessible by fantastic rail and bus transport links, the academy’s stunning working environment is within a purpose-built school designed by Norman Foster and nominated for the Stirling Prize for architecture in 2004.

Dedicated to moving forward

Our vision is clear: nothing is impossible and everything is possible, irrespective of personal characteristics or background. Every problem has a solution. We believe we are more robust, resilient and determined as a team than as a group of individuals. We support, challenge and hold each other to account at all levels within the academy to ensure that our students achieve their potential, are motivated, engaged and fully prepared for life beyond our academy.

As one of Harris’s successful all-through academies, staff at all levels belong to a strong, cohesive team working with Executive Principal Chris Everett and the wider SLT team. Staff can expect to grow with us as we continue to innovate and evolve as an academy. With ample opportunity to build on CPD, your potential is limitless with us.

Main Areas of Responsibility

• To work as an Art Therapist undertaking individual and group therapeutic sessions as agreed.
• To support students with SEND to re-engage with the KS3 and KS4 curriculum and develop strategies to manage and monitor their mental health and wellbeing more effectively
• To liaise with staff, attend regular meetings with the SENCO and key staff across primary and secondary phases.
• To attend meetings with parents/carers and/or external agencies where appropriate.
• To confer with the school team before communicating with parents or outside agencies. 
• To report to the Secondary SENCO on a regular basis as the identified Line Manager for this work.
• To work with the SENCO to ensure that interventions are reviewed and evaluated in line with the graduated approach.
• To document sessions using secure clinical note and produce written reports.
• To date and store artwork of sessions as a confidential record of progress and change over the period of treatment
• To arrange and attend regular external Art Therapy supervision. 
• To maintain Health and Care Professions Council State Registration at £90 per year, to renew comprehensive insurance for Psychological Therapists at £80 per year and to undertake CPD annually
• To monitor and request to order art materials required. 
• To be directly involved with the school in coordination of network meetings, case conference as well as periodic reviews of the therapy, when and where appropriate. 
• To keep written confidential records (clinical notes) of each session, of meetings and correspondence relating to therapy
• To write a final report relating to each individual’s therapy after termination of therapy. This confidential report will be given to the school as well as parents/ carers and other agencies, where appropriate.
• To evaluate and monitor the progress of students and keep up-to-date student records as may be required.
• To alert the appropriate staff to problems experienced by students and to make recommendations as to how these may be resolved.

Qualifications & Experience

• Formal Counselling qualification
• Membership of a nationally recognised awarding/professional body
• Appropriate insurance and supervision in place by private arrangement
• Educated to post 16/ A level standard or equivalent
• Experience in a similar role- Minimum two years’ experience of working with students with special educational needs.
• Knowledge of SEND and other barriers to learning, including SEMH, ASD and ADHD

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.